Parking meter



July 12, 1955 E. H. ALLEN, JR., ETAL 2,712,868

PARKING METER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 5, 1950 NUM am WM "FEA July12, 1955 E. H. ALLEN, JR., ET Ai. 2,712,868

PARKING METER Filed Oct. 5, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 12, 1955 E. H.ALLEN, JR., ET AL 2,712,868

-PARKING METER Filed oct. 5, 195o 4 sheets-sheet s lf E l I HIM" July12, 1955 E. H. ALLEN, JR., ET AL 2,712,858

PARKING METER Filed OCT.. 5, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MINIME INVEN TOR.

United States Patent O PARIHNG NIETER Edwin H. Allen, Jr., Cameron, Mo.,and Adolph E. Yoss, Benton, Ill., assigner-s to E. W. Menhail, Benton,lli.

Application October 5, 1959, Serial No. 188,564

14 Claims. (Cl. 194--78) This invention relates to time operated coincontrolled mechanisms and in particular to those mechanisms known asparking meters.

In general, there are two broad types of parking meters; one being theso called automatic type wherein the coin releases a prewound mechanism,and the other being the so called manually controlled type wherein theinsertion of a coin permits the operation of a mechanism to be wound andto effect the setting and timing operation. The resent invention is ofthe latter type wherein the coin is availed of to permit the mechanismto be wound, and through various instrumentalities, control the parkingperiod.

A parking meter mechanism of the class in which this invention is found,has been previously shown and described in the United States Patent No.2,228,396, to Martin, and the present invention relates to improvementsin parking meters of the type generally shown in said Martin patent.

it is an object of this invention to provide a universal type of parkingmeter which may be controlled by a plurality of dierent coins to permita setting of the parking meter for a plurality of dilferent times.

One object of this invention is to provide a mechanism wherein the partsmay be largely metal stampings with the parts so related as to performtheir necessary operations in the most eiicient manner. A still furtherobject is to include in the mechanism, positive action means for settingthe coin controlled apparatus into operation for a predetermined periodof time by availing of the coin to perform a denite part of the sequenceof operation of the setting instrumentalities, and to permit the use ofdifferent coins, or a plurality of coins of the same denomination, in amanner similar to that set forth in the United States Patent No.2,228,396, hereinbefore referred to. Y

A still further object of this invention is to provide a mechanismincluding parts which may be operated to effect cumulative timing actionwhich may be desirable where coins of dierent denominations or aplurality of coins are availed of, to set the time operated coincontrolled mechanism into operation. A still further object is to enablesubstantially the same parts to be used and by substituting one part,eliminate the cumulative feature, in those juiisdictions wherein such afeature is not thought to be desirable.

A still further object is to form the parts of metal stampings ashereinbefore set forth, whereby the Said metal stampings may be made ofstainless steel or other noncorrosive material, to reduce or minimizethe possibilty of corrosion which is present in parking meters ingeneral, due to the fact that they are subjected to all types of weatherconditions. The corrosion is known to have a deleterious effect on theoperation of parking meters of the types in use today and, therefore,the above referred to contemplated use of a noncorrosive metal is ofdefinite advantage.

. A still further object of this invention is to incorpor'ce rate novelfeatures which will enable the proper operation of the mechanism eventhough certain portions thereof may become initially inoperative due tocondensation of moisture and subsequent temporary freezing of the partstogether. The foregoing is eliminated in the parking meter of thisinvention by the provision of means whereby initial operation of themeter with the coin in place eifects an abutment of Various parts toperform the releasing operation above mentioned by impact means.

A still further object of this invention is to so arrange the partswhereby effective means are provided to prevent the possibility ofoverloading of the spring or clock mechanism incorporated therein.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means toeffectively control the period of time for which the mechanism may beset in accordance with the size of the coin and to prevent manipulationof the coin in a manner whereby any additional period of time mightresult. e v

A still further object of this invention is to provide eans to preventoperation of the mechanism whereby an additional period of time might beobtained by pumping the apparatus, the said pumping being heretoforeavailed of in certain instances in parking meters which have notincorporated the improvements of this invention to prevent such actionfrom taking place.

Other novel features of the invention and further objects will be setforth in the specification and claims appended hereto and in thedrawings which disclose the mechanism of a parking meter whichincorporates the features of this invention wherein:

1Figure 1 is a front elevation of the parking meter of the invention,partly sectioned, showing the general arrangement of certain of theparts.

Figure 2 is a front elevation, partly in section, with certain of theparts of Figure l omitted therefrom to show more clearly therelationship of various parts of the parking meter.

Figure 3 is a front elevation similar to Figure 2 but with certain ofthe parts of Figure 1 shown thereon and in different position. i

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, with certain portionsbroken away to show the location of the clock mechanism and therelationship of the coin controlled parts. v

Figure 5 is a view showing a detail of an important assembly in theinvention. e

Referring to the drawings, the meter of this inventio is shown as beingcomprised of a base member l adapted to be supported on a post or thelike in a manner well known in the art, the said base member beingengaged with a casing 2 of substantially rectangular conformation andbeing formed so as to enclose therein mechanism to be hereinafterdescribed. Adjacent the upper portion of the casing 2 and over anopening 3 therein a substantially hemispherical transparent dome member4 is shown fastened in any suitable way adjacent the opening 3. A guardmember S is provided to surround and protect the dome d and is securedto the upper portion of the casing 2 in any well-known manner. Referringnow to Figure 2, wherein the casing 2 has been removed to permit moreclearly illustrating the parts now to be described, a meter assemblybody'member 6 is suitably fastened to the-base member 1, as by means ofthe cap screws 7, so as to be supported thereabove. Said body member 6is provided with an outwardly extending portion 8 having an openingadapted to be engaged by a screw 9 of a handle 1G. The handle 10 isfitted with a coin follower 11, the said coin follower being fixedagainst relative movement within the handle 19, which is hollow, bymeans of the engagement of a hole in the follower 11 by the screw 9 anda suitable rivet 12 xed in the said handle. It will be seen from theforegoing that the handle may be moved in the direction of the arrows ofFigure 2 about the screw 9 as a pivot and will carry, with it the'coinfollower 11 for operation in a manner tobe hereinafter set forth. Itshould e be noted that the coin follower 11 is provided with a shoulderportion 13 for abutment with a ratchet dog 14, the said ratchet dogbeing pivotedrat 15 to the body member 6 previously referred to. Thesaid coin follower 11 isefurther4 provided with a cam surface 16 adaptedto coact with ya coin during the operation of the mechanism, as'will befurther described during its operating movement. The body member 6 isformed with a recess or slide receiving opening l17,` theV said opening17 being adapted to receive therein a reciprocating slide ,18, TheslidelS includes arectangular section and is formed with a laterallyextending portion having the v,cam surfaces 19 andr20 thereon. f lnaddition, the laterally extending lportion ofthe slide lsvis'providedadjacent its upperV surface with notches 21 for coaction with -th-eratchet dog 14 Yhereinbefore referred to in a manner to be described.The

'said ratchet dog 14 is held in engagement with the notches 21 by meansof a suitable spring member 22,` the 'said spring member. beingsupported onthe body 6 at theV point 23near the middle of thesaid springmember and at one end in engagement with a rib 24 formed in the bodymemberr6 and formingk a part of kthe opening or recess 17. AIt will benoted that the ratchet dog 14 is so arranged as to permit movement ofthe slide 18 rightwardly, as seen inFigure 2, but 'to normally preventmovement of the said slide in a lleftward manner. AsV will behereinafter described, said ratchet dog 14 is provided with an ear 25adapted to coact withthe portion 13 of the handlerl when the said handle10 has been moved from the position shown in Figure 2 into asubstantially vertical position about the pivot point 9, whereby thesaid ratchet dog is raised out of engagement with a notch 21, thuspermitting the slide 18 to move in a l'eftward direction, as seen inFigure 2, for the purposes to be hereinafter explained. v

VAn auxiliary ball lifter arm 26, shown in Figure 2,

being formed of a round wire or the like, ispivoted at 27 to the bodyVmemberoand is formed adjacent its other end witha transversely extendingportion 28 adapted to` abut a ball lifter actuator 29 pivoted about anarbor 3G. The actuator Z9 is formed of fiat stock'having an enlargedbearing portion 31 supported on the arbor 30, previously referred to,for movement thereabout, and is provided adjacent its free end with atransversely extending portion 32.V The bodyv member 6 Vis provided witha post 33 at one corner'the'reof, adapted to receive and support a balllifter 34 of wire or the like, the said member 34 being formed so as toinclude a ball abutting section 35 at one end and a lever section 36 atthe other end adapted to coact with the transversely extending portion32 of the actuator 29 hereinbefore referred to. j

The body member 6 is fitted with a post 37 supporting thereon aball-like indicator 38, the said ball member 38 being adaptedto slideupwardly and downwardly on the post 37 for indicating purposes to behereinafter related. It will be noted that the slide member 1S is formedadjacent oneend, withV a cam portion 39, said cam portion being adaptedto'coact with a suitably formed camming section 40 of the auxiliary balllifter 26 in a manner Ito be set forth.

VVThe slide'V member 18 above referred to is additionally provided witha coin release arm 41' suitably fixedthereto as by means of the rivet42. -A post 43 is likewise fixed to the slide member 18 for purposes toAbe hereinafter set forth. A coin slot is provided in the face ofthe'body member V6 by the rib 44 fand Va corresponding surface 45 formedin the said body member 5.V A suitable trans parent window 47 is securedover the coin slot by means of the Vscrews 48, whereby a coin may bevisible'therethrough when in the position shown in Figure l, beingsupported in that position by means of an inwardly exf tending shoulder49 formed on the coin release arm 41 previously mentioned, when the saidcoin release arm is in the position of Figure l. Referring again toFigure 2, a slide cover plate 56 of substantially rectangular outY lineis provided, having a rectangular recess 51 therein to permit the post43 and the coin release arm 41 to re# ciprocate when carried back andforth by the slide 18. The said slide cover Vplate Si) issuitablyfastened as by means of the screws S2, overthe slide 1S and other partspreviously referred to and shown in dotted lines beneath saidcoverplate. Adjacent one end, the slide cover plate is additionallyprovided with a substantially halfmoon shaped coin receiving opening 53adapted to receive` coins of various denominations.

In view of the foregoing description it will appear that raising thehandle 10 outwardly around the pivot point 9 will cause a withdrawal ofthe coin follower il from Vinserted in the said opening 53. Subsequentmovement of the handle 10 downwardly around kthe pivot V9 willY All?cause the coin, which for the purposes of this illustra-Y tion will beone of theY size. of the nickel, to move in` wardly from left to rightbeneath the slide Vcover plate Si) and to thereupon engage withl theVcam portion 29 ofthe slide 18. FurtherV movement of the handle and camfollower carried thereby will cause movement of the'slidelS toward theright, byV reasonrof the engagement of the cam surface 16 of thecarnfollower 11 in engagement with the nickel, and through the nickel thecam surface 20,into aposition whereby the said nickel will be permittedto slide downwardly over the corner 54 of a coin guide piece 55 now tobe described. The coin guide piece 55 is of substantially rectangularconformation, provided with suitable adjusting means 56,' a setscrew orthe like, land includes elongated openings 57 whereby the said guidepiece 55 may be adjusted'to increase or Vdecrease the distance betweenthe rib 4d,

and the shoulder 54 previously referred to, the said guide pieceV beingnormally held in fixed position in its location by means of oneof thescrews52 which hold the cover plate Sli in place. Y

lt will be noted that when the slide lii has been dls placed to theright during the action above previously referred to, the cam portion 39thereon will abut the cam section 40 of the auxiliary ball lifter lever26 causing the same to move about the pivot 27 a clock e direction, thesaid ball lifter lever 26 engaging, in the ball lifter actuator 29 bymeans of the portion carrying with it the laterally projecting portion32' which coacts with the member 36 of the ball lifter Counterclockwiserotation of the end 35 of the ball'lifter 34 will thereby be imparted,the said end 35 in turn abutting the ball 38 and causing the same tomove upwardly along the post 37 into the position shown in Figure 2.V

When the' lever 1i) has assumed a substantially vertical position aboutthe pivot 9, having performed its coin moving Voperation and moving theslide 15 into its extreme rightward position, the shoulder 13 of the camfollower will thereupon abut kthe portion Z5 of ratchet dog 14 causingthe same to move out of engage; ment with a notch 21, whereby the saidslide may be permitted to move leftwardly from the said lextreme righthigh enough in the coin receiving opening'53 wh reby the same might abutthe cam surface 2@ of the slide for a period 'long' enough 'to effectany greater` setting the said actuator 2.9 in turn rotating about thearbor 30, e

movement than would normally be available upon the insertion of a penny.

It should be noted that the arbor 3i) is provided with at surfaces 59formed thereon for purposes that will be hereinafter related, and isadditionally provided with a round bearing surface for supportingthereon certain other of the operating parts of the device beingdescribed herein.

A consideration of Figure 4 will disclose the location of the clockmechanism generally indicated at 6i? and show the arbor 39 thereofextending through the body 6, substantially centrally thereof. The clockmechanism may be supported adjacent the body member 6 in any suitablemanner and is provided with an indicating arm 61 fastened to the arborby means of a suitable nut 62 thereon. This clock mechanism 69 is of anyconventional form and is only generally indicated in Figure 4 since itis a well known construction.

Referring now to Figure l, it will be seen that a timing plate 63 issupported adjacent its central portion on the arbor 30 for movementtherearound, the said timing plate being formed with teeth on itsperiphery, said teeth being preferably cut in three degree increments inone form of the device, the said teeth being cut on a substantialportion of the periphery in a location such as will cooperate withinstrumentalities to be subsequently described. The timing plate 63 isadditionally provided with an abutment post 64 suitably fastenedthereto. A timing plate actuator 65 (see Figure 5) is formed with anopening 66 therein for engagement and support on the arbor 3G. Theactuator 65 is further provided with a slot 67 adapted to receive foroperation therein the post i3 of the slide 1S previously referred to formovement in a manner to be hereinafter set forth. Adjacent the outer endof the actuator 65 a pawl 63 is pivotally supported at 69 and includes atooth engaging portion 7i) formed therewith and likewise a stop shoulder71. A suitable pawl spring 72 is fastened to the actuator 65 as by meansof a rivet 73 and to the pawl by a similar rivet 74.

Outwardly of the timing plate 65 an arbor winding link 75 is rotativelysupported on the arbor Si) and fixed for rotation thereof, by means ofthe hats 59 formed on the arbor 30, a mating opening in the winding linkbeing adapted to receive the said flat portions. The Winding link 75 isprovided with a disengagement dog 76, rotatably fastened to the outerend on the pivot 77. The disengagement dog is provided with a latchsection adapted to engage in a suitable opening 78 formed on theperiphery of the timing plate 63, as will be clear from a considerationof Figure l.

A spring 79 is fastened at one end to the timing plate 63 and at theother to a post 5@ on the dog 76, a spring Si in turn being fastened tothe link F5 and to the post Si] on the dog 76. ln view or the foregoingit will be clear that the springs maintain the latch portion of the dog76 in engagement with the opening 78 on the periphery or" the timingplate 63.

Since the post 6d, carried by the timinfI plate 63, extends outwardlytherefrom, it is adapted to be abutted by the winding link 75 duringmovement thereof in a manner to be subsequently set forth. it will alsobe clear that the pawl 6%, carried by the timing plate actuator 65, isadapted to abut the arbor wz'mding link 75 adjacent the tooth engagingportion 7@ of the pawl 68, when movement in a counterclockwise directionis imparted to the timing plate actuator. it should be noted that in theposition oi the parts, as shown in Figure l, the tooth engaging portionof the pawl 65 is held in an inoperative position by means of a post S2for the initial operation that will be subsequently described. in viewof the foregoing it will be clear that initial rightward movement of theslide i3, which was described in relation to the description of Figure2, will impart rotative movement to the timing plate actuator 65 sincethe post e3 on the said slide engages in the slot 67 of said actuator,to eect counterclockwise` rotative movement of the actuator 65. Suchcounterclockwise rotative movement of the actuator 65, carrying with itthe pawl 63, will in turn impart similar movement to the arbor windinglink through abutment thereolF by means of the pawl 68 previouslyreferred to, the said winding link thereby imparting similarcounterclockwise rotative movement to the timing plate 63 by reason ofthe abutment of said link with the post or stop 6d. In View of the factthat a pointer 83 is fastened to the winding link '75 by means of ascrew 8d, the said pointer will likewise be carried in acounterclockwise direction. A dial plate 3S having suitable time indiciathereon, is fastened to the body member 6 by means of the screw 86whereby the said pointer 83 will pass over the face of the dial plateand indicate the timing period previously initially predetermined.

Springs 87 are provided fastened at one end to the screws 87a and aroundtheir opposite ends to the post 43 carried by the slide 18. Thesesprings are provided to return the slide 18 from its extreme rightposition after the setting operation has been performed, as will behereinafter set forth.

A consideration of Figure l and Figure 4 will show that the ball lifteractuator 29, timing plate 63, timing plate actuator 65, and arborwinding link 75, are supported for rotation about the arbor Si?previously referred to, and held in engagement therewith by means of anysuitable nut 8S engaged in the usual manner with the outward end of thesaid arbor 35. in view ot the fact that the arbor winding link 7S isheld in fused rotative relationship with the arbor 30 by means of Flats59 formed on the latter, adapted to be received in a co-mating openingin the said arbor winding link 75, rotation of said link will impartrotative movement through the arbor 3i) to eiect a winding of the springof the clockworks 60, the usual clutch dog (not shown) being provided inthe said clockworks 613 for operation in the usual manner. it will thusbe seen that when initial counterclockwise rotation has been imparted tothe arbor winding link the said link will remain in its set position,being held in that position by means of the dog in the clock springmechanism. it is likewise to be understood that the arbor winding link75 will impart similar rotative movement to .the timing plate 63, byreason or the abutment of the said winding link with the stop or post 64previously described. It should also be noted that the tension of thesprings S7 in engagement at one end with the post of the slide plate i8,the said post 43 being engaged in the slot 67 in the timing plateactuator 65, will normally hold the said timing plate actuator 65 insubstantially the position shown in Figure l, and thereby the pawl 68,by reason of its conformation and the abutment portion 71, will be heldin engagement with the post S2 on the timing plate cover 5l?, wherebythe said pawl 68 will remain out of engagement with the teeth of thetiming plate.

When the timing plate actuator 65 has been rotated in a manner to behereinafter described in the operation of the mechanism of the parkingmeter, after its initial rotation to effect a setting of the mechanismthrough the arbor winding link 75, subsequent rotation after return ofthe said actuator 65 to the position of Figure l, will permit the toothengaging portion 7@ of the pawl 63 to engage one ofthe teeth on theperiphery of the timing plate 63 in accordance with a predeterminedsetting thereof. The arbor winding link 75, after its initial windingmovement, is held in an advanced rotative position such as that shown inFigure 3 so that the pawl 68 does not engage the said link 75 during itssubsequent actuation.

While certain of the operating units, namely the slide and handleoperating units and the arbor winding unit comprised of the timing plateactuator 65, timing plate 63 and the arbor winding link 75, have beendescribed, a summary of the operation of these parts at this point isnecessary to obtain aclear understanding of the invention the handle isnormally in a substantially vertical posi-Y tion with respect to thecase 2 of the said meter, as seen in Figure l, and the same beinglikewise applicable to disclosure in `Figure 2 which will be usedinitially to describe the operation as follows:

The handle 10 is grasped at the end thereof and pivcoin opening 53 isuncovered and a penny is inserted in the said opening 53. Subsequentdownward movement Y oted into a substantially horizontal positionwhereby 'the in avcounterclockwise direction about the pivot v9, of thehandle 10, will cause the Ycoin follower 11 to engage the penny Vthroughthe'cam surface 16 Vof the said follower and to be carried inwardly andrightwardly (seerFigure 2) Y whereby the said penny will engage the camsurfacep19 of the slide 18 and impart a rightward displacement of thesaid slide. As the penny travels over the coin guide piece'55, while inengagement with the cam surface 19,

and imparting bodily movement to the slide 18, the post 43 will likewisebe carried to the right. Referring now lto Figure 1, it will be notedthat in thisrightward opera- Y tion or movement, the post 43 will engagein the slot 67 of the timing plate actuator 65 and impartcounterclockwise rotative movement thereto. The pawl 68 carried at theend of the actuator 65 will abut the arbor winding link 75 near thepivot point 77 of the disengaging dog 76.

Thus, continued movement of the post 43, as carried 'i by the slide 18,will likewise impart the rotative Vmovement of the. actuator 65 to thearbor winding linkV 75. Asthe arbor winding link 75 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction about the arbor 30, andabuts the post 64'onthe timing plate 63, it will be apparent that the said timing plate willlikewise be rotated in a counterclockwise direction. When the penny hasreached a point on the coin guide piece 55 (see Figure 2) denoted 54,rightward sliding movement of the slide 18 by reason of the engagementofthe coin with the shoulder 19 of the said slide will have reached itsmaximum point. Subsequent movement ofthe handle 10 about the pivot 9will cause the coin or penny to descend downwardly-between the shoulder45 and the rib 44 on' the body member 6,

whereby to assume a position'behind the window 47 and be supportedtherebehind by reason of its abutment with the inwardly extendingportion 49 of the coin release arm 41 which is carried by the slide 18.The rotative movement of the arbor winding link 75 has thereupon reachedits maximum point, and since it carries the pointer 83,

- will have moved `the said pointer into a position adjacent the dialyplate 85, whereby the time to which the device has been adjusted will beindicated as remaining on the said dial 86.V The relationship of themovements hereinbefore described, is such that the initial rotativemotion imparted to the arbor winding link 75 by means of the pawl 68carried by the actuator 65, provides a slight overrun of time, in thisinstance being about three minutes, for example. The initial engagementof the pawl 68 with the arbor windingplink 75 is abrupt enough so thatif by any chance the said pawl 68 is'temporarily frozen or otherwise'not freely movable upon the pivot 69 of the actuator 65, the said pawlmay be broken loose, so to speak, by the impact with the said link 75V,as above described Insertion of -a second penny, moves the actuator 65through a l5 degree arc, but the pawl 68 loses 3 degrees in entering atooth, with a resulting net gain in time of 12 minutes. Y

Subsequent insertion of coins within the opening 53 8 Y in the mannerabove referred to will impart similar rightward movement to the slide18, and the other mechanism associated therewith through the post 43whereby subsequent rotative movement of the actuator will cause the pawl68 through its tooth engaging portion 70, to engage one of the teeth onthe periphery of the timing plate 63, to thereby impart furtherrotativeV movement to the said plate and to the arbor winding link 75,since the said arbor link 75 is maintained in engagement with the post64 by reason of the disengaging dog 76 employed onv the said link 75,and likewise to the pointer 83 which is supported on the said link 75for rotation therewith. It will be apparent that this rotativemovementof the pointer 83 will cause the same to passover the face ofthe dial plate 85 and indicate thereon the time remaining. in accordancewith the number of Vcoins deposited in the manner hereinbefore setforth.

A nickel or other coin for whichl the deviceV is initially arranged foruse may be similarly inserted, either singly or by insertion of aplurality thereof in the same manner in which a penny is availed of forsetting the mechanism;

in view of the fact that the teeth on the periphery of Y the timingplate 63 are spaced at 3 degree or 3 minute intervals it will beapparent that as the clock mechanism unwinds carrying with it the arborV30 and the arborwinding link 75 and likewise the'pointer 83, theinsertion of a coin after a lapse of a short period of time in theopening 53 and subsequent operation inthe manner hereinbefore related,will cause the tooth engaging portion .70 ofthe pawl 63, as carried bythe actuator 65, to engage another tooth on the periphery of the timingplate 63, and impart rotative movement to thelink 75 and pointer. 83 ina counterclockwise direction to add the time 'to that already indicatedVon the `dial plate 85. It is not necessary that the mechanism shall havemoved to any particular point carrying the pointer 83 over the face ofthe dialplate 85 for the above action to take place. However, in certainjurisdictions the so called cumulative effect above related is notthought to be desirable and, therefore, the timing plate 63 can beprovided with notches such as indicated at 89 in Figure l, the saidnotches being formed so as to translate the movement of a penny only inl2 minute increments in contrast to the 3 minute increments previouslydescribed. This latter movement may beftermed a noncumulative movement.Y

When the slide 18 has been moved to theV rightl in response to movementof the handle 10 and a coin in-Y serted in the opening 53, it will beapparent that, during this movement (see FigurerZ) the signaling deviceVor ball 3S will be maintained in its uppermost position on the post 37Vby means of the engagement of the upper surface of the slide 18 with thecamming portion 40 of the auxil- Y iary ball lifter 26 acting on theball lifter actuator 29 and thence on the ball lifter 34, whereby thesaid ball 38 is L maintained in the upward signaling position throughoutthe rightward movement of the said slide 18. This position of the saidsignaling ball 38 on the upper portion of the post 37 will bring thesame into a position under the plastic dome 4 whereby the Vsame may beseien by any authorized person to indicate that a violationV is takingplace. When the slide 18 has been permitted to move again to its eXtremeleftward position (see Figure 2) by reason of the disengagement of theratchet dog 14 with a tooth 21 on the upper surface of the said slide18, the

ball 38 will be permitted to slideY downwardly on the post Y f 37 out ofposition beneath the dome 4.

The parking period having been set by insertion Yof.

the coins in the manner hereinbefore described and havl ing initiatedmovement of the clockworks in the usual abut the ball lifter actuator 29and in turn cause operation of the ball lifter 345 about the pivot 33and raise the ball 38 into position be eath the dome 4, whereby aparking violation is indicated. It will be apparent from the foregoingthat either a coin of the denomination of a penny or the like be used inthis device and similarly that a nickel or other coin of similardenomination may be used to impart a similar action to the associatedparts to set the clock mechanism for various times. A safety and parkingperiod control device is provided and will now be described 'whereby anoverloadinI7 of the device, or an over setting of the time period may beprevented whether coins of the same or direrent denominations areinserted for operation in the parldng meter. ri`he disengaging dog 76previously referred to is provided with a cam surface 91 thereon adaptedto coact with a stop pin 92 located adjacent the periphery of the timingplate 63 whereby the said cam surface 9i of the dog 75 will engage theSame during its maximum rotative movement as seen in Fig. 3. Thisengagement of the surface 91 with the pin 9.?. will cause the dog 75 tobe rotated about the pivot 77, whereby the dog will become disengagedYfrom the notch 'i8 in the periphery o the timing plate 63 and subsequentrotation of the timing plate 63 by means or" the engagement of a toothon the periphery thereof by the tooth engaging surface 7) of the pawl 68will permit the timing plate to be rotated beyond the position shown inFigure 3 and prevent any overloading of the device. it will be apparentthat location of the stop pin 92, in any one of the positions such asthose indicated at 93 or for example, will provide for the setting oithe device for different periods of time within a wide range.

The timing plate 63 is returned to position for again t..e dog 76, afterthe disengagement above described, by means of a spring 79 (see Figure3). The spring 7? is fastened at one end to the plate 63 and the otherto the dog 76 at 8i?. Further rotation of the plate from the position ofFigure 3, in a counter-clockwise direction, will cause the spring 79 tobe tensioned and act against the rotation being imparted by the pawl 63to the plate 63. Consequently, return of the actuator 65 to initialposition will permit spring 7g to contract and rotate plate 63 in aclockwise direction as will be apparent.

lt should be noted that the insertion or' a succession of coins willcause the coin release arm 41 to move to the right, as seen in Figure 2,and permit a previously deposited coin to drop downwardly into asuitable receptacie provided in the meter.

in view of the foregoing description of the device embodying the variousnovel parts and the operation of the mechanism in which they areincorporated, it will be clear that a simple parking meter has beendescribed wherein the operation of the various parts takes place in aunique manner and coins of dilerent sizes and denominations may be usedto actuate the said meter tor dilerent periods of titne. There is apositive setting or the time controlled parts for their operationthroughout a predetermined period of time and the possibility of illegalmanipulation of coins inserted in the device, or of the device becominginoperative due to corrosion or freezing Weather, has been eliminated.While certain orP the parts are not described in detail since they maybe made of various forms, a device incorporating the novel ieatures ofthe one herein described is compact and readily operable to carry outthe function desired.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A parking meter of the class described, in combination, a clockmechanism having a winding arbor associated therewith, means for windingsaid arbor, an actuator carried by the arbor for rotative movementtherearound, a timing plate carried by said arbor for rotative movementrelative thereto adapted to operate said Winding means and said timingplate having a plurality of teeth formed therein, said winding meansincluding instrumen'taiities for disengageably connecting said means andtiming plate, a slide adapted to impart rotative movement to theactuator, means for reciprocating the slide, and means carried by theactuator for engagement with the teeth of the timing plate, when thesaid timing plate and arbor are in diierent rotative positions, saidmeans carried by the actuator being adapted to initially rotate saidtiming plate without engaging said teeth.

2. A parking meter 0i the class described, in combination, comprising atiming mechanism, an arbor in the said timing mechanism, an actuatorpivotally mounted on the arbor, a pawl mounted on the actuator, a timingplate supported on the arbor for rotative movement relative thereto andhaving step means eugageable by said pawl, a winding lini; xed to thearbor for imparting rotative movement to said arbor said link having areleasable connection with the said plate, reciprocating means formoving the actuator aforesaid, stop means on the timing plate forengagement by the winding linl; to eect rotation of said timing plate,said reciproeating means being adapted to impart an abrupt movement tothe pawl mounted on the actuator, said pawl being mounted on theactuator so as to abut the winding link to thereby condition the pawlfor subsequent rotation of the timing plate aforesaid the step means onthe timing plate being engageable by the pawl to effect said subsequentrotation.

3. A parking meter of the class described, in combination, comprising aclock mechanism settable for different periods of time, an arbor in theclock mechanism, a timing plate rotatably supported on said arbor, awinding link iixed to said arbor for rotation thereof includingreleasable normally operative means to connect said link and timingplate for rotation and release the said link and plate for separaterotation, an actuator including a pawl pivotally supported on the endthereof for initial abutment with the winding link aforesaid, means orimparting rotative movement to the actuator and to the pawl carriedthereby to eect winding or" the clock mechanism, said pawl beingsubsequently engageable with said timing plate for rotation thereof.

4. A parking meter of the class described, in combination, timingmechanism, an arbor associated with the timing mechanism, a winding linkixed to the arbor for rotation thereof, a timing plate carried by thearbor including a plurality of teeth formed in said plate, means foreffecting rotative movement of the winding link including an actuatorcarried by the arbor, means carried by the timing plate for engagementby the link to maintain the same in rotative relation therewith andrelease said plate and link for separate rotation to prevent overwindingof the timing mechanism, said actuator including a member adapted toengage the teeth of the timing plate aforesaid for rotation thereof whenthe timing plate is in diierent positions after initial setting of themechanism has been elected in rotative relation to the arbor previouslymentioned.

5. A parking meter of the class described, in combination, a bodymember, timing mechanism carried by the body member, said timingmechanism including an arbor and means for setting the said mechanisminto operation for diierent periods of time, a signaling devicesupported on the body for movement into visible signaling and obscurednonsignaling position, a slide supported on the body member forreciprocating movement in relation thereto, means including partscooperable with the slide and device for maintaining the signalingdevice in said visible signaling position during movement of the slidein one direction and means for moving the slide in said direction.

6. A parking meter of the class described, in combiannees drivablyconnecting the winding link to the timing plateV aforesaid, separatemeans for moving the timing plate rotatively, and stationary meanscarried by the body for etfecting disengagement of the timing plate andwinding link to permit'relative rotation thereof.

7. A parking meter of the class described, in combination, a body, clockmechanism carried by the body member, including an arbor, said arborbeing operable to effect winding of the clock mechanism, a timing plateon the arbor including a plurality of teeth formed in said plate, anactuatorV rotatably supported on the arbor, a pawl mounted on theactuator, a slide mounted on the body member for reciprocation relativethereto, means for imparting reciprocating movement to the slide,actuator engaging means ixedrto the said slide for movement therewith,the pawl being supported on the actuator to impart Vrotative movement tothe timing plate, when the said timing plate is in various differentpositions rotatively, and other means xed to the arbor engageable by thepawl aforesaid, the'said last named means including instrumentalitiesfor Vreleasably maintaining the said means in fixed rotative relation tothe timing plate aforesaid, a separate member being provided *toY effectsuch release.

Y 8. A parking meter of the class described, in combination, la bodymember, clock mechanism including a winding arbor, an actuator supportedon the arbor for rotation relative thereto, a timing plate rotatablysupported on the arbor including a plurality of teeth formed in saidplate, an arbor Winding link fixed to the arbor for rotation therewith,time indicating means carried .by the said link, slide means associatedwith the body, means for operating the slide means, said slide meansincluding an instrumentality for moving theactuator, said actuatorincluding a member cooperable with the winding link for'moving thetiming plate rotatively and also adapted to engage the timing platedirectly by means of the teeth formed therein, for setting the timingmechanism into operation for different periods of time, and means Vtoreturn said actuator to its original position after ithas performed itssetting operation, said Ytiming Vplate and winding link having means tocompel. simultaneous and facilitate independent movementl thereof.V

9. A parking meter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the winding linkincludes a disengagingrmember cooperable with the timing plate, thetiming plate having a stop member adapted to abut the link aforesaid,and means are provided on the body member for effecting thedisengagement of the disengaging member from the timing 12 f platewhereby further rotative movement of the timing plate may be effectedVby the actuator without imparting additional rotative movement to thewinding link aforesaid in the same direction.

l0. A parking meter as claimed in claim 8 wherein a signaling device ismounted on the body member for movement into visible signaling andobscured nonsignalingpositions and other means are provided formaintaining the said signaling device in visible signaling positionduring rotative movement of the timing platefin one direction in whichwinding of the clock mechanism is effected by the Winding link.

11. A parking meter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the means forimparting rotative movement to the actuator include the slide the samebeing reciprocable with respect to the body membeiga handle adjacent oneend of the slide, means intermediate the handle and the slide formovement of the latter upon operation of the handle, a signaling meanssupported on the body member, and means cooperable with the slideaforesaid provided for maintaining the visible signaling means insignaling position during movement of the slide to effect rotation ofthe actuator.

12. A parking meter as claimed in claim 8 wherein` v stop means areprovided adjacent oneV endV of the slide means to prevent manipulationof a coin to move the slide means a different distance from that forwhich the parking meter is set. y.

13. A parking meter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the slide operatingmeans includes a handle adjacent one end of said slide means havingmeans cooperable with a coin for moving the slide in one direction, adog pivotally supported on the body member and engageable with notchesin the slide for maintaining the slide in various positions during itsreciprocation when moved by the handle, a shoulder on the handle adaptedto abut the dog for releasing the same from said notches and other meansfor returning the slide to its initial position with respect to the bodymember. j

14. A parking meter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the means foroperating the slide means includes a handle Vmember and a coin followerand an adjustable coin guide piece is provided to control the length oftime during which a coin remains in contact with the slide means andfollower duringoperation of the slide means aforesaid.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS817,231 Dunn Apr. 10, 1906 1,257,062 Adams Feb. 19, 1918 Y 2,228,396Martin lan. 14, 1941 2,256,398 Lucia Sept. 16, 1941 2,308,836 Sisk Jan.19, 1943rv

